Today Is Dutch King's Day

The crowded Oud Haven today.

Today, the entire Netherlands celebrates the Koning's Dag or in English, King's Day. Up until 2013, when Queen Beatrix abdicated and was succeeded by her son Willem-Alexander, this holiday was known as Koninginnedag or Queen's Day. When I first witnessed this celebration (2013), it was still the Queen's Day. It is my fourth time to see this big annual Dutch event, and I can say, there are some changes. The celebration includes partying (both in private homes or on the street), wearing orange costumes, flea markets, concerts, and traditional local gatherings. Today, our family went to the city, a usual thing to do with King's Day. The flea market consists of free space all over the city for anyone who like to sell second hand items. I noticed that this year, the sellers are not as many as the precious years. I also noticed that the shops and eating places in the city are open, unlike the previous years that they are closed to give way to the public who want to take the place to display their for sale second hand items. As what I promised, I have some photos to share. From the Netherlands, happy King's Day to all of you, anywhere you are in the world!

Most people are wearing color orange, the Dutch national color.

On King's Day you can spread any second hand items that you want to sell. Free market. Flea market.

Shops and homes hang the Dutch flag.

Little fire brigade in action.

They are crowned too.

will take you around the city.

Last year, this area was full of both people and goods, now it is empty as this.

A bit bitter-sweet anniversary...

A day before our anniversary, my husband gave me a beautifully wrapped tiny box with his gift for me.

Yesterday was our fourth wedding anniversary. The four years of my life as a housewife, the years of learning, growing, and loving. I don't celebrate my birthday, but I celebrate my wedding anniversary. In the Netherlands, a wedding anniversary is not as important as a birthday. On our wedding anniversary, me and my husband usually go out and have dinner in a restaurant. Last night, we made it very simple. We just ordered a dinner to be delivered at home. Grilled ribs with pasta, bread, and salad. The serving was so enormous that we have some left over.

A quiet day yesterday, except for many anniversary greetings from my acquaintances on Facebook, mostly are my friends in the Philippines. We eat our anniversary dinner, my husband and I alternately made photos with our son. When I was already in bed to sleep, I feel there are tears in my eyes. I am glad and thankful for my family life, but it saddened me that I am very far from my family. The day ended that I don't hear or receive any greetings from my parents and from my siblings. I would like to thank all my social network friends for giving me their présence on my special day.

The Philippine Independence Day Picnic In The Netherlands

Every 12th of June is an annual national holiday in the Philippines. It is the day to commemorate the Philippines Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. Filipinos around the world has organizations and foundations to celebrate this particular date even thousands miles away from home. Filipinos are well known for these positive traits: strong family ties, religious, and hospitable. But when they are gathered together, foreigners see it that they are fun-loving, love to eat, and are music lovers. When you visit the Philippines, you can see a karaoke session almost anywhere.

My husband paying fees

Filipinos in the Netherlands are also celebrating the annual Philippine Independence Day. They call it Kalayaan Fiesta in The Netherlands or Philippine Independence Day Picnic. This year it falls on 4th of June. Filipinos in The Netherlands travel to Spaarnwoude, Amsterdam, where the annual celebration or picnic being held. They bring their family and friends there.

My `pinoy plate: laing, Bicol Express, and adobo. 

Many installs tents where they can stay the whole day, eating, drinking, having fun with friends, and many are making barbecues. There are stalls where you can buy Philippine products from handicrafts to balikbayan boxes, from foods to beverages.

my husband and son at the handicraft stall

There are tents of agents for condominium units in The Philippines, and also the tent of the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands. Since I arrived and live in The Netherlands, I have been at the Philippine Independence Day Picnic three times together with my husband.

with my family

Last year and this year, our almost three year old son is also with us. Spaarnwoude is an hour trip from our home by car. The entrance fee is 6 euro each and the parking fee is also 6 euro. Almost every year there is a Filipino celebrity guest. From what I have seen today, there were more people and stalls today than last year.

On stage with Gino Padilla

And I can say, a lot of preparations done this year. This year, the celebrity guests are Gino Padilla and Isabel Granada. Isabel Granada is my contemporary. I remember her as a sweet face with long eyelashes at the afternoon television show That's Entertainment, while Gino Padilla is really a big hit with his classic songs such as Closer You And I, Gusto Kita, and Why Can't It Be. I really enjoyed today with my family. I am now happy  here in The Netherlands but there are also some things back home that I miss occasionally like native foods and Filipino songs. I have never been to a concert in the Philippines, so it was a real treat for me to hear Gino Padilla live for 6 euro.

my son

I left my husband and my son for a while to have a clear view of Gino Padilla. It is like I was star-struck. I am thankful to security personnel for allowing me to get on stage to Gino Padilla. Only those who had Gino Padilla CD and those who will buy his CD are allowed to come near to him. I told them I had no CD and I will not buy, I just like to come to Gino Padilla! And they let me come inside to the stage. I am also thankful to my friend Arlene for making a short video of me with Gino Padilla while on stage. I returned to my husband like a carefree child showing all my photos and the video with Gino Padilla. I told my husband that if I am in the Philippines I will not do that. Because I am in the Netherlands, I did that. It is really different when you are very far from your mother land.

With my friend, Arlene and her son.

It was a very fun filled day. The weather also cooperates because when we travel back home the temperature reached to 28 degrees. At home while I am cooking spaghetti for our dinner, I am smiling while singing this: kahit sabihin na mali ako, alipin mo o bihag mo, ako'y iyong iyo. Yes, I am almost a Dutch now that my Naturalization has done, but my heart remains the same, a Filipina by heart and blood, and it is always a happiness to talk or sing using my native tongue.  I just feel I am truly blessed because I belong to a loving Dutch family here in The Netherlands that loves me and all my Filipino ways.